Question:
i had rny 4-12-01 starting out at 329 pd s i lost down to 190-194 which I stayed at

for over 1 year just his past 2 months I noticed I can eat alot more without getting full and I no longer belch alot after I eat because I was notorious for that. When I weighed this morning I was at 208 I knew I had gained some but not this much. I want to know if anyone can tell me what a staple line disruption feels like can you tell if you have it. Also what test do they run to determine if that is what has happened or if my pouch has just stretched out. My surgeon is no longer in practice so I have to search for someone new I live in the St Louis area. Any help would be appreciated.    — susan V. (posted on June 19, 2003)

June 19, 2003
Why think the worst??? Over time your pouch will (has) stretched.... go back to the basics... drink water, eat slowly, measure out your food, protein, protein protein!! You still have your tool, make the best use of it... Congrats on your awesome loss, and being able to maintain it.... :) Peg lap rny 4/9/03 311/258 -53
   — Peg L

June 19, 2003
My goodness, it looks like I wrote this. I have the same problem. I'm eating a lot more and the more stressed I am the more I want to eat. I've wondered about my pouch and staple line disruption also. I guess the more we graze the more our stomach's stay full and stretches. I know I need to quit grazing between meals, but I get hungry every 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
   — Betty Todd

June 19, 2003
I am pre-op 4 days, but I would think if you had a staple line disruption you would be extremely ill if you have been transected. If your staples let go, everything you ate or drank would go into your abdomin and you would have a massive infection. That's the point of actually cutting the stomach in two pieces so it can't open up on it's own.
   — Kathy J.

June 19, 2003
I had my surgery Dec. 12th. At three months out, I noticed I could eat a lot more than I thought I should, plus I experienced some discomfort after eating sometimes. I had an upper GI done, which shows where stuff goes after you swallow. I had a fistula which is a "tunnel" the body forms connecting the old and new stomachs - so basically my stomach was fully functioning again. I was transected and this complication is very rare - but it happens! I hope your solution is much simpler than this. I am having a revision on June 30th to fix this. If you think something isn't right insist a doc run a few tests. Best of luck.
   — Kim B

June 19, 2003
My recommendation is to STRICTLY follow the water loading and eating ONLY four times a day, limited portions (yes like a diet) for two or three days... then the next afternoon... try the cottage cheese test and see what happens. If you can down more than 9oz very quickly without feeling you're gonna puke... then i'd worry.
   — Virginia N.

June 20, 2003
Susan, I read your profile and was wondering if you can any exercise with your hernia? I'm only 16 mo post-op and I know your further out, but even at 16 months if I slack off the exercise or water, it shows right away. As long as I can keep up the water and exercise, I am able to maintain and I do snack. Now, perhaps that will not last forever, but for now, it is what makes the difference. Just thought I'd mention it to you.
   — Cindy R.